Question

question 4 of 10

the black codes were passed as a means of:

a. preserving the social conditions of slavery as it existed before the civil war.
b. fixing the problems caused by decades of slavery in the south.
c. helping formerly enslaved people become productive citizens.
d. encouraging formerly enslaved people to migrate to the north.

Explanation:

Define the purpose of the Black Codes

Using the Reconstruction Era knowledge point, Southern states passed these laws immediately after the Civil War to restrict African Americans' freedom and compel them to work in a labor economy based on low wages or debt.

Analyze the options

• Option A describes preserving pre-war social and labor hierarchies.
• Option B, C, and D suggest positive or reformative goals, which contradicts the restrictive nature of these laws.

Select the correct option

Option A accurately reflects the historical intent to maintain white supremacy and control black labor.

Answer:

• A. preserving the social conditions of slavery as it existed before the Civil War. (Correct answer)
• B. fixing the problems caused by decades of slavery in the South.
• C. helping formerly enslaved people become productive citizens.
• D. encouraging formerly enslaved people to migrate to the North.